Bending-machine.



Patented Nov. 7, 1911. 4 SHEBTPSHBBT 1.

NIN .i

J. C. WILSON.

BENDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN.29, 1909,

J. C; WILSON.

BBNDING MACHINE.

l l AYPLIUATION FILED JAN.29,1909.

n Patented N ov. '7, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' J. C. WILSON.

BENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN.29, 1909- Patented Nov. '7, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

J. C. WILSON. I

BENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 11311.29. 1909.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OEEIOE.

JOHN C. WILSON, OF KENOSHA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR '10 THE SIMMONS MANUFAC-TUBING- COMPANY, OF KENOSI-IA, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

BENDING-MACHINE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 29, 1909. SerialNo. 475,015.

To all whom 'it may concern.'`

Be it known that I, JOHN C. WILSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kenosha, in the county of Kenosha and State of Wisconsin,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bendingl Machines,of which the following is a specithe interior surface of the bent tube.

fication.

My invention pertains to improvements in machines or lnechanisms forbending tubes, pipes, and the like,and has especial reference to the.bending of tubes such as are used in the manufacture of metallicfurniture, as bedsteads for instance.

One especial aim and object of my invention is to provide a mechanismwhich will bend such tubes and at the same time maintain the usual andunchanged cross-section of the tube at the bent portion. In other words,my invention renders possible a quick and .etlicient bending of the tubewithout'J causing any flattening or crushing at the bent or curved partof the same.

In the preferred form of bending machine embodying my invention, Iemploy a powerdriven curved bender grooved on its periphery to conformsubstantially to the exterior convex surface of the tube, and asubstantially-stationary arbor or mandrel on which the tube or pipe isplaced and on which it slides during the bending operation, this arboror mandrel having its end adjacent to the curved rotary bender taperedon a curve conforming to that of the Outer port-ion of the interior ofthe curved part of the linished bent tube. Such end gives to the tube aproper initial tendency or bias to bend without collapsing orl{iattening as the tube is drawn off over the end, it being understoodthat the tube is rmly and securely clamped to the rotary bender. Inconjunction with such an arbor or mandrel I'have found it advisable, insome instances at least, to use one or more auxiliary or subsidiaryarbors or mandrels connected to the first or main arbor and also shapedor curved to conform to the Outer portion f s will be readilyunderstood, such auxiliary arbor or mandrel also act-s topreventflattening or crushing of the tube during the bending operation.To maintaln the tube in proper relation against the rotary bender, Iemploy a pressure block bearlng against the outer face of the tube, and.between such block and a fixed abutment I use a traveling rollerbearing or carriage to reduce the friction, as will be readilyunderstood. In order to assist in removing the finished bent tube orpipe from the machine, and to remove any possible 4defects in the end ofthe bent part of the tube by drawing the supplemental arbortherethrough, I provide the two arbors mentioned above with retractingmeans which will`draw the arbors wholly or partially out of the interiorof the tube or pipe.

In order that those skilled in the art may have a full understanding ofthis invention, I have described the same in detail below and haveillustrated a preferred and desirable embodiment of the invention inthfe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and inwhich like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout thevarious views.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a plan View of the improved bending machine;Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section illustrating the relation of the mainand auxiliary arbors and the bent tube; Fig. 3 is a front elevation ofthe .machine with parts broken away; Fig. 4 is a central section throughthe machine illustrating the driving gearing and the clutch mechanism;Fig. 5 is a plan view of the machine on an enlarged scale, parts beingbroken away, and shows the position and relation of the elements of themechanism after the bending Operation has been completed; and Fig. 6 isa side elevation of the machine.

Referring to these drawings, it will be noticed that the machinecomprises a main support or standard 10 carrying at its upper end asubstantially-circular table or top 11, centrally mounted on the topface of which on the upper angular end 12 of a short shaft 16 is abender 13 having a substantially semi-circular periphery or edge 14grooved, as indicated in Fig. 4, to accommodate substantiallyone-half'of the tube or pipe to be bent. As is clearly indicated in thedrawings, the bender 13 has an integral outwardly-extended arm 15similarly grooved on its edge to accommodate the pipe or tube, thisgroove of course forming an extension or prolongation fof the curvedgroove on the edge 14, as is shown for example in Fig. 5. The lowercylindrical portion (Fig. 4) of the shaft 16 is adapted to rotate in abearing 17 depending from the central portion of the table top 11, tli'eshaft being held in proper relation to the table top and prevented fromdescending by a collar 18 fixed thereto, it being understood of coursethatthe bender 14 is recessed to accommodate such collar. The lower endof shaft 16 carries one element or member 19 of a clutch, the othersection 20 of which is fitted over and is slidable on the angularportion 21 of a stub shaft suitably secured, as by bolts 22 passingthrough a circular flange at the base of the shaft, to a comparativelylarge Worm-Wheel 23 rotatable on the step bearing 24. It should,

' therefore, be apparent that the rotation of the Worm-Wheel 23 istransmitted to the clutch element through the squared portion 21 of thestub shaft and that this section lever 28 fulcrumed Within the mainsupporting collar 29, one end of the lever projecting to the outside ofthe machine through a slot or opening 30. This protruding part isconnected to a foot-lever or treadle 31 by a connecting link 32. Byoperating this foot lever the clutch element 20 may be raised intoengagement with the companion clutch member 19, and upon releasing thefoot lever the member 20 will drop out of engagement with the member 19,due to the Weight of the parts.

At the side of the machine and rotatable in suitable bearings I employ adriving shaft 33 equipped With a yWorm 34 meshing with the teeth of theWorm-wheel 23 and also supplied With a driving pulley 35 and a clutchmechanism 36, whereby the loose driving pulley 35 may be operativelyconnected to or disengaged from the driving shaft'33. The sliding sleeve37 of this clutch is operable by a bell-crank lever 38 fulcrumed on theframe ofthe machine at 39 and equipped at its opposite end With a handle40. Since this clutch mechanism forms no part of my invent-ion, adescription of the details of its construction is of course entirelyunnecessary.

At the outer end of a suitable bracket or support 41 I provide a rotaryshort shaft 42 equipped with a pinion 43 and a ratchet Wheel 44 iXed toand movable with the shaft. The top part 45 of this bracket 41constitutes a lateral extension of the table- Abent part of the tube orpipe.

top 11, and slidable on the same is an inverted rack 46, the teeth ofwhich mesh with those of the inion 43, the top surface of the rack beingtat and plane and passing beneath an overhanging bracket arm 47 whichacts to maintain the rack in mesh with the pinion. This arm 47 hasextended therethrough one or more vertical holes, in the presentinstance two, characterized 48 and 49. I supply the device With alocking pin 50 adapted to be passed through either one of these holesinto an aperture 51 of the rack so as to lock the rack against movementunder certain conditions. A pinion and shaft operating handle 51 isloosely mounted at one end 52 on the shaft 42 beside ratchet 44, thishandle carrying a springactuated pawl or dog 53 equipped with a knob 54by which it may be retracted manually out of the path of the teeth ofthe ratchet 44. As will be readily understood, With the paWl or dog inoperative connection with the ratchet, the shaft 44, pinion 43, and rack46 may be actuated. The rack 46 has an integral cylindrical extension 55supplied at its end with a screw-threaded aperture or recess 56 intendedto receive a portion of a reduced threaded extension 57 ofa maincylindrical arbor 58 equipped at its adjacent end with an angular head59, the threaded stud or extension 57 being equipped with a pair of 4jamor lock nuts 60 to prevent unscrewing of the parts. It Will be readilyunderstood from this construction that by loosening the nuts 60 andturning the arbor 58 and its threaded stud 57, by applying a Wrench tothe hexagonal head 59, the arbor may be adjusted longitudinally withrelation to the rack 46, such adjustment of course being maintained bythe nuts 60. This arbor is cylindrical and of substantially the samediameter as the interior of the tube to be bent, the extension 55 of therack 46 being of the same cross-section. As is clearly illustrated inFig. 2, the free end of the arbor 58 is tapered at 61 so as to agreewith the curvature of the outer portion of the interior surface of thebent tube, the object of this tapering being to give the tube the propershape as it leaves the end of the arbor so as to eliminate thepossibility of the tube crushing or flattening during the bendingoperation.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noticed that connected to the free endof the arbor or mandrel 58 by a link 62 I provide an auxiliary orsupplemental arbor or mandrel 63, the greatest cross-sectional diameterof which is substantially equal to that of the aperture through thetube, this auxiliary arbor being curved longitudinally so as to conformto the curvature of the outer p0rtion of the interior surface of thefinished I This auxillary mandrel assists in preventing liattening,

crushing, or creasing of the tube during the bending operation, andalthough I have indicated in the drawing only a single one of sucharbors, it is to be understood that a plurality of them suitablyconnected together may be used if found` to be desirable or necessary.In the construction illustrated, the link 62 at its opposite ends hasenlarged heads at 64 which are pivoted to the respective arborsinternally by means of pivot pins 65.

Bolted to the top face of the table 11 is a bracket 66, adjustable onwhich is an abutment bar 67, the adjustment being accomplished by meansof a pair 'of vscrews 68.

Ihe abutment block or bar is arranged substantially parallel to thearbor 58, its proximate or adjacent surface being plane, and adapted totravel on its .face I employ a roller bearing comprising a plurality ofrollers 69 rotatably mounted in any suit-'able form of frame 70, therollers on one side being adapted to contact with a face of the abutment67 and on their opposite side on the pressure bearing block 71 recessedon its front face at 72 to accommodate a portion of the tube to beoperated upon, the shape of the recess corresponding to the convexcurvature or surface of the tube or pipe.

In order to fasten the tube or pipe to the arm or extension 15 yof thebender 13, I provide a clampfblock 73 recessed on one face toaccommodate the tube and a plurality of clamps 74 of any suitable anddesirable construction, these clamps being adapted to hold the parts 73and 15 in gripping engagement with the tube 75, as is clearlyillustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 5.

The operation of this bendingmechanism is substantially as follows:Assuming that the bender 13 isin the position shown in Fig. 1, with itsextension or arm 15 parallel with the arbor 58 and its actuating rack46,

i the tube 75 to be operated upon yis slipped over the auxiliary andmain arbors or mandrels 63 and 58, respectively, and the cylindricalextension 55 of the rack luntil the end of the tube strikes the end' ofthe rack, as is illustrated in Fig.. 3, this end of the rack operatingas a stop or abutment forV the proper positioning of t-he tube. Oflcourse, other suitable stops might be usedto effect this result, but Ind that thev arrangement shown and described operates satisfactorily andconveniently. .It is, of course, to be understood that the pressure baror bearing block 71 and the roller bearing 69 are in place as shown inFig. 1, the curved recess of the pressure block receiving a portion ofthe tube While this block together with the roller bearing and theabutment properly hold thetube in the groove of the bender. The clampblock 73 is then applied to the tube, as shown in Fig. v1, t-he clampsbeing put in place and tightened so that the tube cannot slip relativelyto the bender and its extension 15. AThe pin 50 is in position in one ofthe holes 48 or 49, in the present instance 48, extending downwardlyinto the aperture 51 of the rack 46, thereby locking the lat-ter and thearbors connected therewith from movement. Assuming that the clutch 36 isin such position that the rotation of the driving pulley 38 istransmitted to the shaft 33, Worm 34, Worm Wheel 23, and clutch member20,all these parts revolving, it Will be apparent that when the operatoror Workman steps upon the treadle 31 he will lift the clutch element 20,bringing thesame into operative engagement 'with the companion clutchmember 19, so that the rotation of the parts is transmitted to thebender, which turns in a clock-Wise direction, as the table top isviewed in Fig. 1, approximately 90o or to any other extent desirable,when the operator releases the treadle 31, causing a cessation of theturningor rotation of the bender and the attached tube. During thisturning of the bender the tube is slid along or over the cylindricalextension 55 and the arbor 58, being bent around a portion of the semi-.cylindrical periphery 14 of the bender, as

is clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. As the successive portions of the tubethus slide otl' over the tapered end 4of the arbor or mandrel 58, thisen d gives them an initial direction of movement which tends toeliminate any possibility of thebent portion of the tube being flattenedor crimped. In other Words, this tapered end of the arbor directs theparts of the tube in the proper direction as they pass over the same. Inorder more effectively to prevent any collapsing or creasing of the bentpart of the tube, the

. auxiliary or supplemental arbor or mandrel 63 is employed to iron orWipe out any creases or imperfections which mayoccur, this auxiliaryarbor also assisting in giving the successive portions vof the tube theproper direction of travel to form the 'desired bend. If more than onesupplemental mandrel is required or desired they may be readily linkedor otherwise connected together as will be readily obvious. After thebending operation has been completed, as indicated in Fig. 5, the mainand auxiliary arbors or mandrels may be Wholly or partially Withdrawnfrom the bent tube by rotating the shaft 42 by means of the paWlequipped handle 51 so as to retract the rack and the arbors connectedthereto. Under ordinary conditions it is necessary to retract the arborsonly a comparatively small amount, since the tube can be easily takenolf after it has been unclamped. During the bending operation the tubeis held in firm Contact with the curved bender, and prevented frombecoming distorted by means of the pressure block 71 bearing against itsouter surface, this block traveling with the tube, as will be readilyunderstood from a comparison of the relation of the parts shown in Figs.1

and 5, the roller bearing reducing to a minimum the friction between theblock and the adjustable abutment 67.

This machine is designed to be capable of bending tubes of differentdiameters, and consequently the bender 13 is made detachable from theshaft 16, being replaced by any other suitable bender capable ofsuccessful operation with a smaller or larger tube, it being understoodthat the curved groove on the periphery of the bender should conform tothe external surface of the tube operated upon. The main and auxiliaryarbors are also made detachable, sincethey must conform in shape anddiameter to the tube being bent, `and the block 71 may be replaced byany other supplied with a groove on its face to accommodate the tube tobe bent. In order. that such tubes' of different diameters may be bentby this machine, and since the position of the arbors must be variedtoward or from the axis of the bender, I make the pinion43 considerablywider than the rack so that the latter may be moved along on the pinionto the -proper position for successful operation with the particulartube to be bent.

While I have herein described and shown the details of construction ofthis preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood thatthe latter is susceptible of la variety of embodiments and that theinvention is not limited to the structural details set out, since theminor mechanical features of the machine may be varied within widelimits without departing from the heart and substance of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a bending machine, the combination of a rotary bender, means tosecure the tube to be bent thereto, a 4main arbor adapted to fit in saidtube and on which the latf ter slides as the bender turns, one end ofsaid arbor being adjacent to said bender land tapered on a curvesubstantially like that imparted to the outer portion4 of the interiorsurface of the tube, an auxiliary arbor curved substantially like thatimparted to the outer portion of the interior surface of the bent tube,means connecting said arbors together, means to retract said arbors, anabutment, a bearing block adapted to press against said tube and traveltherewith, and a `roller bearing interposed between said bearin blockand abutment.

2. In a tube ben ing machine, the combination with a rotary bender, ofmeans to secure the tube to be bent thereto, a main arbor adapted to fitin said tube and on which the latter slides as the bender turns,

one end of said arbor being adjacent to said bender and having a fixedportion tapered on a curve substantially like that imparted` to theouter portion of the interior surface :of the tube, an auxiliary arborta ered Substantially like the ixed portion o the main arbor, saidauxiliary arbor being flexibly connected to the main arbor, means forlocking -said arbor against longitudinal movement while the bender isbeing rotated, means for retracting said arbors after the tube lis bent,an abutment, a bearin block adapted to press against said tu e andtravel therethrough, and a roller bearing interposed between said.bearing block and abutment.

3. In a bending machine, the combination of a rotary bender, a mainarbor adapted to fit in the tube to be bent, an abutment, a bearingblock adapted t-o press against said tube and travel therewith, and aplurality of bodily traveling rollers interposed between said bearingblock and abutment, and means for limiting the lateral movement of saidbearing block and abutment.

JOHN C.' WILSON.

Witnesses:

J. I-I. CANTWELL, Jr., Gus JACOB.

